Head to head
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA vs The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA vs The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA.
The bottom lineThe Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA does more across the board (it leads on brightening / tone, oil-control & blemishes), while The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA if you want the actives; The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Which should you pick?
Pick Lactic Acid 10% + HA if
- you are prone to fungal acne (malassezia)
Pick Mandelic Acid 10% + HA if
- you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
- dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
- you want the more affordable option
What each delivers
Side by side
| Lactic Acid 10% + HA | Mandelic Acid 10% + HA | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Exfoliant | Exfoliant |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Lactic acid 10%, Crosslinked sodium HA | Glycerin, Mandelic Acid 10%, Crosslinked sodium HA |
| Texture | A middleweight lotion, enough to comfort without feeling heavy. | A middleweight lotion, enough to comfort without feeling heavy. |
| Fragrance | None detected | None detected |
| Fungal-acne safe | Likely | Not likely |
| Pregnancy | No flagged actives | No flagged actives |
| Ingredients | 15 listed | 13 listed |
| Price | ~€13 | ~€8 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Lactic Acid 10% + HA
Only in Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneMandelic Acid 10% + HA
- Breakouts & congestionMandelic Acid 10% + HA
- Dryness & dehydrationEither works
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€13).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA or The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA better for dark spots & uneven tone?
For dark spots & uneven tone, The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA does more across the board (it leads on brightening / tone, oil-control & blemishes), while The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA if you want the actives; The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Which is cheaper, The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA or The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA?
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€13).
Can I use The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA and The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA together?
They are both exfoliants, so you would normally pick one rather than layer both in the same step. You can keep both and alternate them (morning and night, or on different days) if you like variety, but you do not need two.
Compare it with…
All 7 comparisons
- Lactic Acid 10% + HA vs The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
- Lactic Acid 10% + HA vs The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
- Lactic Acid 10% + HA vs Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
- Lactic Acid 10% + HA vs The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
- Mandelic Acid 10% + HA vs The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
- Mandelic Acid 10% + HA vs Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
- Mandelic Acid 10% + HA vs The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution